Page 19 of Roaring Fork Rockstar

“It’s a long story,” I said. “But they’re heading out on a world tour, and I won’t be going with them.”

Her eyes scrunched.

“I have, err, family obligations that prevent me from being gone that long.”

Before she could say anything else, Luna came bounding down the stairs, the well-loved stuffed rabbit she’d had at the hospital clutched in her arms.

“I’m ready!” she announced. “Is Santa waiting for us?”

I looked at Keltie, mouthing “Santa” with pleading eyes. Whatever had upset her, I didn’t want Luna to miss out because of it.

Keltie’s expression softened as she took in her daughter’s excitement. “All right.” She sighed. “We’ll go. But if you get another fever, we won’t be able to stay.” I caught her pained expression when the smile left Luna’s face.

“I understand,” the little girl said, looking down at the floor.

“Maybe I should drive. You know, in case something comes up.”

I shook my head. “If you need to come home, I’ll give you a lift.”

“If you’re sure…”

“Positive.”

We got Luna’s booster seat out of Keltie’s vehicle and were on our way to put it in my truck when I noticed her glancing in the direction Remi had gone. The odd expression I’d caught earlier resurfaced. There was a story there, but now wasn’t the time for me to ask what it was. Knowing Remi, he’d frequented the Goat and was an asshole to her or her staff. That was the kind of guy he was.

Like my reasons for being unable to go out on tour, Keltie obviously had reasons for not liking a guy I didn’t much care for myself.

I felt a tug on my sleeve. “Mr. Wheaton? Are we gonna get in? It’s kinda cold out.”

“Yeah, sorry, sweetheart.” I opened the door, and after I attached the booster seat, she climbed into the cab.

When I turned to help Keltie in, she was standing close enough that if I leaned forward a little, I could kiss her. And why did that feel like the most natural thing in the world? Rather than resist, I brushed her cheek with my lips. “Merry Christmas, Keltie.”

“Merry Christmas, Holt,” she said with wide eyes when I stepped to the side to let her get in.

7

KELTIE

My mind raced as I stared at the truck I was leaving parked in front of my house. The kiss Holt had placed on my cheek still burned there, but that wasn’t what had unsettled me.

Remi Gilbert. In Crested Butte. Five years after he’d dismissed me from his life as if my unborn baby and I were nothing.

I’d never expected to see him here, of all places. The last I knew, he had apartments in both London and Manhattan, orchestrating CB Rice’s rise to international fame from one of his penthouse offices. I hadn’t kept tabs on him—actively avoided any news about him, in fact—but his sudden appearance in this small mountain town couldn’t be a coincidence.

My stomach knotted. What if he saw Luna? Would he even recognize his own daughter? Would he care? The man who’d flatly stated, “Itisn’t mine,” when I told him I was pregnant had no right to her now, but the fear of him somehow entering our lives sent ice through my veins.

“You okay?” Holt’s words pulled me from my thoughts.

I nodded, unable to trust my voice. Luna was buckled safely in her seat, humming while clutching Bunny to her chest.

As we drove out of town, I caught Holt glancing at me, concern etched on his face. Something about him unnerved me in a completely different way than Remi did. He seemed to read me too easily, as if we’d known each other for years instead of weeks.

“Luna, have you ever been on a ranch before?” Holt asked, his eyes finding her in the rearview mirror.

“Nope!” she replied, bouncing in her seat. “Do you have horses?”

“We sure do. And cows, too.”

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